Cough, phlegm and wheeze… treat it with ease!

Inflammation / irritation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs is called Bronchitis. As the inner lining of these tubes (bronchi) swells up, it grows thicker and starts to produce mucus. This results in narrowing of the tubes causing cough with production of thick phlegm.

Bronchitis can be Acute or Chronic in nature. Acute bronchitis usually has a quick onset and recovers within a span of 6 weeks. Most cases recover without any problems especially if the patient has been otherwise healthy prior to the attack.

Chronic bronchitis on the other hand tends to present as persistent cough with mucus for most days for 3 months of the year for at least 2 consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis is more serious in nature and requires long term treatment. In chronic bronchitis, the damage to the bronchi is more deep seated and frequently occurs on account of smoking.

Acute bronchitis tends to be very common amongst both children and adults though the prevalence rates are higher in children younger than 5 years. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is more common in people older than 40 years of age.